Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens U.S. diplomatic capacity to monitor and counter PRC influence through a centralized, funded RCO program—improving national security and allied coordination—at the cost of modest new spending, potential personnel strain, possible diversion of attention from other priorities, and risks of politicizing diplomacy.
U.S. diplomats and federal foreign‑policy personnel gain expanded, institutionalized capacity focused on identifying and responding to PRC threats through a centralized Office of China Coordination and a larger RCO network.
U.S. diplomatic missions receive clearer, sustained support (analysis, messaging, and priority status) that preserves resources for regional engagement and competitive diplomacy against PRC influence.
Americans' economic and security interests are better protected from coercive or market‑distorting PRC actions because the bill supports monitoring and countermeasures that can limit harmful foreign economic practices.
Taxpayers will fund a new recurring foreign‑policy program costing roughly $3.75M annually through FY2030, modestly increasing federal spending.
Concentrating diplomatic resources and messaging on PRC competition risks diverting attention, funding, and staffing away from other regional or multilateral issues and priorities.
The emphasis on strategic competition and a centralized, China‑focused coordination structure could politicize diplomacy and intelligence priorities and strain relations with partner governments sensitive to PRC ties.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a State Department RCO Program Unit with a Director and at least 20 forward‑deployed officers, sets duties and geographic coverage, and authorizes modest FY2026–2030 funding.
Introduced September 11, 2025 by Gregory W. Meeks · Last progress September 11, 2025
Creates a permanent State Department unit to run and expand a Regional China Officer (RCO) program, requires a career Foreign Service Director and at least 20 forward-deployed RCOs placed at U.S. diplomatic posts or detailed to allies, sets minimum geographic placement across regional bureaus, defines RCO duties to monitor and report on People’s Republic of China (PRC) activities across economic, infrastructure, technology, and military domains, and authorizes limited annual funding for FY2026–2030. The unit must be stood up quickly (Director within 90 days), operate without increasing Department headcount, and the statutory requirement sunsets five years after enactment.